Illinois-Chicago — The Knot Community

I'm new, just wanted to say hello :)

Shelley DDS — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:18:31 +0000

Hi everyone! Thought I would introduce myself since I'm sure that I'll be using everyone's helpful information on this board :)

We have been engaged since last Friday. We live in Michigan-Detroit Metro area but are very excited to plan a Chicago wedding (I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs).

No exact wedding date but most likely the summer or fall of 2012

That's all! Look forward to chatting with all of you.

Who has gotten their gown cleaned and from where? I am running out of time!

ejuern — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:40:16 +0000

I cannot find a place that isnt charging a couple hundred dollars to clean a dress and/or someone i trust. I have a semi-dirty dress no serious stains and need it cleaned before my big day less than 30 days away! I'm starting to panic because I'd prefer to have a reference of a place someone has used before. Where has everyone gone?! Please help :)

venue/ceremnony site recs

kcurrie11 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:32:34 +0000

Hi all! I am in the beginning stages of planning and am looking for the perfect venue. I live in the southwest suburbs (downers grove) and am looking for a venue that can host both ceremony and reception. The vibe I am going for is romantic, lots of candle light, maybe with some vintage aspects. looking for a venue that is not super expensive. Hope that gives you an idea of what Im looking for! Thanks for any suggestions!

Cakes/Sweets

tulip0318 — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:40:45 +0000

Has anyone used Peterson's in Hoffman Estates? The online reviews seem to be good, but just wondering if there are any personal references. Also, we are looking for cupcakes....awesome cupcakes. Any suggestions. The bakery would need to deliver to Barrington. thanks all!

MrsPaps

hz80408 — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:40:14 +0000

I just realized I never responded to your post about Secrets Maroma!

So here are a few comments (I have a full review of food, etc in my bio).
-take lots of sunscreen. DH tans decently and I tan easily. We took 2 bottles of SPF30, 2 bottles of SPF15 and 1 of SPF50 for 8 days and we still ran out

-We left $1 or $2 tip everyday for cleaning

-If you want a pool spot, we realized a lot of people set their stuff out there before breakfast, went to the main building to eat, and then came back. So everymorning of us would go set of towels, magazines and waterbottles. Enough stuff to make it look like someone was there, but not valuable items so that if they were moved (I think happened once) we weren't worried/mad

-Tip the bartenders/waitresses well ($2-$5) and defintely on your first drink. Maybe not every time after, but this will definitely have them keep an eye on when your drinks get low, and the bartenders (if you tip directly instead of getting drink from waitress) will hook it up with the alcohol. We loved Alejandra at the pool's swim-up bar.

Are you preferred club? If so, they offer hot apps (and cold) every afternoon around 4 or so, when the other places are temporarily not serving food.

-If you plan on getting room service for breakfast (we did the day of an excursion and the morning we left); order it for 15 minutes before the time you really want it. We were almost late for our transportation the first time we got it b/c they were slow!

-I brought a beach bag and also a zippers pouch (kind of like a large wristlet). We kept our cameras in the pouch b/c it was discreet (it was really for wet swim suits so it was polka-dotted). We felt a little safer leaving our cameras with our beach bag when we went for a walk or food that way.

-I was also really glad we had some large ziplocks. We kept our books/mags in these inside of our beach bag when we weren't reading to avoid getting wet or sandy.

Whew, that's a lot! I hope it helps! Let me know if you think of any specific questions.

ETA: We brough $100 cash (60-ones and 8-fives and it was the perfect amount for tipping money for 8 days)

Also, read about scalp burning below!

PSA: Cake - great for showers!

akrysl22 — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:24:25 +0000

The YouSwoop today is perfect if you are hosting a small shower or for your office shower! 51% off cakes, and they even deliver (5 mi. radius of downtown). Just got 2 for a shower this fall for a co-worker!

www.youswoop.com/invite/anniekstop">http://www.youswoop.com/invite/anniekstop

Outdoor Reception site in Chicago

ayesa531 — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:33:44 +0000

Hello! We just got recently engaged and we are trying to figure out either to have a destination wedding or have it here in Chicago, IL. If we do have it here in Chicago we are looking for an outdoor reception. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you

Rehearsal Dinner (Pizza) Northwest Burbs: Hoffman estates/schaumburg/lake zurich

ltlavac — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:32:32 +0000

Hi, posting again about a rehearsal dinner. After getting pricing on many different restaurants at about $35pp not including alcohol, I'm looking for a pizza place to have our rehearsal. Approx. 40-50 guests. Our rehearsal is in Barrington, no pizza joints there, and the LouMalnati's in Schaumburg I heard is pretty tight with 40 in the room. Any other suggestions, pretty please!!!

*KellyBrian2013

Katie91980 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:06:00 +0000

Any updates on your house? I've been checking but haven't seen an update!

Vendor Rec's Needed

temptluck — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:09:06 +0000

We are finally planning the big day and i am trying to pull off a small wedding for 65 ppl on $5,000. We are getting married April 29, 2012 in the northwest suburbs and have plenty of time, but i need all the help I can get. I was wondering if anyone has worked withor can refer any of the following vendors:

Astoria Banquets
Jolie Images
George Street Photographers
DJ's
Florists

Please share your experiences with me and any vendor referrals. Thanks a bunch!

Alteration Prices

kgrunow — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:25:44 +0000

I am looking at bridesmaid dresses and while looking at prices it occurred to me that I need to look at typical alterations pricing. I am getting estimates of about $100.

How much did you/your bridesmaids pay?

Thank You

Does anyone have any extra white gable boxes for sale?

Maura81 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:44:50 +0000

Looking to make our OOT boxes for a friend's upcoming wedding and hoping to find somenoe who may have some left over.

thanks!

Lexakelly

Sparkette19 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 20:09:15 +0000

Hi! I hit you back with a PM!!

Mary Catomy brides

MrsPaps — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:01:48 +0000

My first fitting is this Saturday and I know I need to bring my shoes and undergarments. I don't have a veil yet, does she have veils there? I am going to order a veil from valuveil.com but it won't be here before Saturday. What else can I expect?
Thanks!!

Lawyerlover

Sparkette19 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 20:10:04 +0000

Hi! I hit you back with a PM!!

miracle520

Scarlet Starlet 31 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:44:23 +0000

Hola!
Since I'm way out in the boonies, I don't come on this board very often. A lot of the posts deal with stuff out in the city, so there's usually not a ton of posts I can relate to. I pop on from time to time hoping some poor other lost soul out in the far, far, far burbs might have something to say that I might have input on!
I swear, I'll never understand why this thing puts me in Chicago. Harvard is not Chicago-I'm practically in Wisconsin!

Anyways, things are good. Plans coming along. Looks like yours are too! Every time I see you post I always read it, your wedding looks so beautiful :) I've always been quite envious of your plans!

FOR SALE!!

Sparkette19 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:57:57 +0000

Some of you ladies might remember me...I was moderator for a minute before our wedding in June of 2010.

We're moving and I would like to sell these items. I bought the cyninder vases from a former knottie too!

I am selling our centerpieces and they're pretty much put together, as they were on the day of our wedding. I will seperate the components, but I would rather see if someone can use them as a whole. Putting together our centerpieces wasn't hard, it was just time consuming.

Please take a look at my bio, on the FOR SALE page. PM me or post your email address and what you are interested in.

Happy planning ladies!

PSA - Ideas for bridesmaids gifts - Today show Jill's steals and deals

Golfer09 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:36:01 +0000

Some heavily discounted items for the next 24 hrs only - watches, beauty kits, personalized stationery, jewelry:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42652975/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/

Reception venue

sabanner — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 08:39:14 +0000

Does anyone have any experience, reviews, or information about White Deer Run Golf Club in Vernon Hills??
I really want to check them out.

Any information would be lovely.

NWR: Need some good vibes

Miracle520 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:21:49 +0000

My FI and I are an interfaith couple. His family is intensely Catholic and my family is far more culturally Jewish these days but I have been trying to reconnect with my faith over the past couple years. I've celebrated Christmas with his family and Matt celebrates Hanukkah with my family but we have never done a big family Jewish holiday.

We are hosting the seder meal tonight (thank goodness I had the day off work to cook and set everything up) and it's his parent's first ever Passover celebration so please send me some good vibes! I'm getting very nervous. This is the first time they've ever asked to be included so I want everything to be wonderful.

Picture Cardholder

Katie91980 — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:19:45 +0000

Hi,

Does anyone have one of the pic cardholders that they would like to sell? can anyone point me in the direction of finding one?

Thank you!
Katie

Making those cute tank tops for myself & my BMs

fireatlboi — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:27:36 +0000

Hey Knotties,

I would like to make those cute wedding party tank tops, but I have no clue how to get started with the letters. Is there a website that has the iron on rhinestone words pre-made, or will I have to do it freehand. Please advise!! Thanks!

DJ playlist

kmgulley — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:10:29 +0000

I am looking fo suggestions on where to begin with music. The company we hired our DJ from places their clients with a DJ suitable to thier music tastes. They want us to provide about 15 must-haves, and a do not playlist. For some reason the must-haves are just not coming to me. I know this is a personal preference, but we like just about everything. I don't want all music just to cater to the young people on our guestlist. Guess, I'm not a big music person, so this is tough. The do not playlist will be easy, the rest is my challenge. Anyone have any ideas on the easiest way to do this. Are there any cheatsheets out there:)))?

BACHELORETTE PARTY

KATERS882 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:40:28 +0000

Well I had my bridal shower and bachelorette party on Saturday. I had a great time. It was a long day but we did it that way since I had a friend driving up from the Carbondale area and another friend was flying in from Washington DC. My sister is my Maid of Honor and she planned the bachelorette party. We had a great time but she just went to her first bachelorette party about a month ago for one of her friends. She doesn’t really know what to do or things to ask about. She did a great job but I just want to put it out there to make sure you have a written quote or a written contract if you are using a limo for a bachelorette party. I know for weddings everyone gets a contract but I just wanted to through it out there for bachelorette parties too. The guy came but ended up charging us more money than he quoted my sister. The exact amount of people showed up as what was quoted for. We think because he saw it was a bachelorette party and he brought a bigger limo than what was agreed on. She had followed up with him 3 times and he gave a her a confirmation number but he wouldn’t email her anything apparently. I would just make sure you get it in writing. I always do with anything even before wedding planning but the bachelorette party details were a surprise to me. The ride there and the ride back was kind of tense and stressful since he was charging more.

Chicago pizza rehearsal dinners(downtown)

kmgulley — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:13:53 +0000

Has anyone had or plan to have a rehearsal dinner at a pizza place in the city? We are thinking about doing this, although my parents aren't too keen on the idea. Can anyone give your opinions? Good idea/bad idea? Our wedding is going to be more formal, so why not make this informal?!

Wedding day timeline

peeweea213 — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:00:27 +0000

help me please! I have no idea where to start with this! Ceremony is at 3:30 pm and reception is at 6:00pm. They are 10min away from eachother. More importantly I am confused with when to start my morning! My hair is being done at a salon then my makeup at a hotel (15 min away from church) Any lay out for how you girls did yours would be greatly appreciated!

rehearsal dinner - Elmhurst?

kayewe — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 13:24:05 +0000

We are getting married this July at the Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst. Our rehearsal will be on a Thursday night and we'll have about 20 people at the rehearsal dinner (plus 2 babies).
Anyone have suggestions for a non-formal rehearsal dinner setting in Elmhurst or Oakbrook? We looked at 2 Brothers from Italy and Fitz's Spare Keys (bowling! fun!)...both are fine options but neither really sticks out as GREAT. We're willing to drive a little bit, but it has to have EASY directions from Elmhurst (my family will get lost if they have to caravan through more than 2 or 3 turns) .

Thanks!

Flower Girl Dresses

jonkim902 — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:00:59 +0000

Where did you find your flower girl dresses?

I found the perfect dress online but with the dress was out of stock for my 4 flower girls. So now I am back to the drawing board. Looking for ivory satin flower girl dresses that are reasonably priced.

PSA - Spanx on sale today at Zulily

Golfer09 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:40:42 +0000

Zulily (discount sale site like Rue La La, Gilt) is having Spanx on sale for up to 50% off. Even though Zulily is geared towards moms and babies, thought I would pass this along. Here is the link (generic - I did not post the personalized link where I would get a kickback).

http://www.zulily.com/spanx-041811.html

I believe you can sign up without needing a member invite but if you do, please PM me and I can invite you.

outdoor ceremony

angel6595 — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 05:32:49 +0000

Im having trouble finding information on an outdoor site for a ceremony. I plan on having the reception at a banquet facility so I need a place for the ceremony. We want an outdoor location but I cannot seem to find any information for a place where they would not expect you to have the reception there too... ie golf course/country club. does any one have any suggestions of websits I can look at? Also, does anyone out there know if a golf course/country club would let someone have a ceremony at their loccation without having the reception there? Any help is greatly appreciated!